chapter_0174

173 – I Am Now Death, the Destroyer of the World

173 – I Am Now Death, the Destroyer of the World

The power of God.

It wasn’t wrong.

If a single attack could destroy an army division or a small city, it would indeed seem like wielding the power of God.

‘As soon as the nuclear weapon is developed…’

Beyond changing the landscape of the war, the Empire would be reborn as an unparalleled hegemonic power.

If other nations were to learn that the Empire had developed an unprecedented weapon of destruction called the atomic bomb, they would have no choice but to bow their heads to the Empire, whether they liked it or not.

The war would finally come to an end, and the Allied Nations would acknowledge their defeat.

This was practically the only way for the Empire to survive and win the three-front war.

‘However…’

As Lembardor said, it was still too early.

He said it would take several years for nuclear weapons to be developed.

If the Empire couldn’t withstand the fight against its enemies during that time, there was no chance of winning.

The victorious nations would never allow a defeated nation to create nuclear weapons.

Daniel, having sorted out his thoughts, opened his mouth with a strangely elated feeling.

“Doesn’t the Allied Nations also know that we have succeeded in uranium fission experiments?”

“That’s right. They must also understand the destructive power of the atomic bomb. They may even be conducting a similar project to the one our Empire is pursuing.”

“…It’s a matter of time, then.”

If the Empire didn’t create it, the Allied Nations would.

The most violent and inhumane weapon in history was trying to reveal itself to the world one way or another.

‘If it’s a historical trend that can’t be stopped anyway…’

The Empire had to create it before the Allied Nations.

That was directly related to the ultimate goal Daniel wanted to achieve: survival.

“The side that creates the atomic bomb first will win the war. This is not a possibility but an inevitability. So, Dr. Lembardor, is there anything I can do to help?”

Lembardor seemed a little surprised at Daniel’s proactive stance.

Most people, upon hearing that it had ten thousand times the destructive power of a conventional bomb and a radius of 10 kilometers, would usually wear an expression that said they didn’t know what kind of absurd nonsense he was talking about.

However, Daniel was convinced even without hearing a detailed explanation of the atomic bomb.

‘I’ve heard that Colonel Daniel Steiner is an outstanding soldier in many fields, but…’

I didn’t expect him to have a deep understanding of physics as well.

Without basic knowledge, it would have been impossible to understand the simple explanation so perfectly.

Of course, Daniel was just thinking of the country that had been devastated by a nuclear explosion in his original world, but Lembardor, who had no way of knowing that, felt a certain liking for Daniel and began to speak.

“That’s a bit unexpected. I didn’t think we’d be able to communicate so well. You’re offering to help. It’s presumptuous to ask for a favor when I’ve already received so much help, but…”

Lembardor shrugged once.

“It’s a luxury to worry about being presumptuous in wartime. So, if I may dare to ask Colonel Daniel Steiner, please focus on stabilizing the Empire for now. We need to fix the things that have gone wrong because of the rebellion Duke Belvar caused.”

“Things that have gone wrong. It doesn’t just mean that the Empire’s security has been compromised.”

Lembardor chuckled softly.

“With your quick wit, I don’t think I can hide anything. Very well. I’ve received permission from His Imperial Majesty, so to tell you the truth, an envoy from Bellanos will be visiting soon.”

“That’s related to this project, then. So…”

“The Bargov Project.”

Daniel knew who Bargov was.

He was Selvia’s great-grandfather and the founder of the Empire.

“You can think of it as being named in honor of Bargov von Amberg, the Eternal Emperor, who straightened out the chaotic kingdom and laid the foundation for the Empire as it is today.”

In reality, it was probably just flattery from the researchers who were trying to get a little more budget by keeping an eye on the imperial family.

Feeling strangely authoritative, he turned his head to the side, and Selvia frowned as if she felt wronged.

“…Please don’t look at me like that? I never ordered them to name it that.”

Let’s just leave it at that.

Daniel, having cleared his throat, looked at Lembardor.

Lembardor also glanced at Selvia before opening his mouth politely.

“Anyway, Bellanos’s cooperation is essential to proceed with the Bargov Project. This is because we need resource support as well as to recruit physicists from Bellanos.”

“Physicists, you say?”

“A scholar called Lumitel. He is a rare talent in modern physics, excelling in both theory and experimentation. We need his brain.”

Lembardor continued seriously.

“As I mentioned earlier, several challenges must be solved to create the atomic bomb. One of those challenges is how to create a neutron moderator, and Lumitel has extensive knowledge related to that. He will surely come up with an answer.”

In short, the world’s best brain in the field is in Bellanos, and a meeting must be held with the Bellanos envoy to recruit that talent.

Judging from what he was saying, he had probably secretly arranged all the meeting schedules.

But Duke Belvar’s sudden rebellion must have canceled all the schedules.

Bellanos would have designated the Empire, where the rebellion had occurred, as a dangerous country, so it was clear that they would have canceled the dispatch of the envoy as well as all major events related to the Empire.

That’s why Lembardor urgently asked Daniel to stabilize the Empire.

They needed to inform Bellanos that the rebellion had been completely suppressed so that they would lift the designation of a dangerous country and dispatch the envoy.

“I think I understand what you’re saying. I will deal with the collaborators lurking in the Empire as quickly as possible. But may I ask one question?”

“Yes, please feel free to ask.”

“When did the Bargov Project begin?”

The Empire conducted uranium fission experiments several years ago.

That meant that investments in nuclear weapons had been continuously made even before Selvia became Emperor.

Lembardor hesitated at Daniel’s question, and Selvia nodded.

Having received permission, Lembardor bowed lightly to Selvia and answered Daniel’s question.

“The unofficial start was five years ago. At that time, our scientists informed the late Emperor of the dangers of the atomic bomb based on theory. The late Emperor dismissed it as nonsense.”

Lembardor nodded as if it was understandable.

“As you know, astronomical sums of money are required to carry out the project. The late Emperor was reluctant to spend money on a project with uncertain feasibility. He prioritized the tanks and soldiers that could be created with that money immediately.”

Lembardor turned his gaze to Selvia.

“Then the current Imperial Majesty stepped forward. If the scientists’ theory was true, she said that the Empire would be falling behind in technology if it delayed support. After hearing that, the late Emperor hesitated but promised to provide us with funds.”

Without Selvia, the current development of nuclear weapons would not have been possible.

“After that, the current Imperial Majesty was designated as the successor by the late Emperor and took over the regency, marking a new phase. From then on, we were able to officially form an organization.”

It was after Selvia took over the regency that funds began to flow in earnest, allowing them to carry out large-scale projects.

That was one of the reasons why the nobles rebelled.

They thought they were being ignored because when they asked why large amounts of money were being moved, they were never told, saying it was a ‘top secret’.

However, from the perspective of a soldier, not a noble, Selvia was truly an enlightened monarch.

“I was just looking for the only possibility for the Empire to become a hegemonic power in the current situation.”

Selvia took a sip of her black tea and put down the cup with a casual gesture.

“Also, I just saw the potential and pushed for it. The real helper is someone else.”

Selvia turned to Daniel.

“As Dr. Lembardor said, the project requires astronomical sums of money. Unfortunately, my father was right. The Empire didn’t have that kind of money. There was a time when just maintaining the front lines was overwhelming.”

But from a certain point on, the Empire began to accumulate enough money to carry out the project.

It was all thanks to Daniel Steiner, who was right in front of her.

“But not now. A certain hero subjugated the Eldresia Kingdom and brought enormous resources and money to the Empire. And what about selling war bonds through the total war speech? Also, thanks to him turning the neutral country of Bellanos into a de facto ally, it has become possible to recruit not only financial support but also talent.”

Selvia rose from her seat.

The dignity of the imperial family could be found in her graceful gestures.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner. The current Empire exists because of you.”

One step. Two steps. Selvia, who slowly approached Daniel, opened her delicate lips.

“Also, history will judge.”

Selvia stopped at the close distance.

“The person who ordered the project is I, and it was the Empire’s scientists who carried it out, but…”

Selvia raised her hand.

“The one who laid the foundation for it is none other than…”

Her hand, which was slowly rising as if being pulled up by a net, touched Daniel’s chest.

Selvia, feeling the beating of his heart through the touch of her hand, looked up at Daniel and gave a soft smile.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

Only then did Daniel realize.

The reason why Selvia, the Emperor, had told him about the top-secret Bargov Project.

It wasn’t just because trust had been built.

‘As of today, Selvia has…’

It was no different from acknowledging him as a key member of the Bargov Project.

Author’s Note

Thank you to the readers who read it today!

I hope you had a pleasant weekend!

Then I’ll see you again tomorrow! Thank you always!